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El estramonio (Datura stramonium L), al igual que la gran mayoría de las drogas alucinógenas vegetales, ha sido usado a lo largo de los siglos en un contexto místico-religioso chamánico. Sin embargo, fue en el verano de 2011 cuando se detecta su uso como droga de abuso en España tras el fallecimiento de dos jóvenes en una fiesta “rave” en Getafe (Madrid) y una intoxicación aguda de un joven en Badajoz, hechos que generaron una gran alarma social. Todo ello pone de manifiesto la constante variabilidad en la familia de las drogas perturbadoras usadas con fines recreativos. La disponibilidad de este vegetal y el desconocimiento sobre los riesgos de su consumo lo convierten en un serio problema de salud pública. El estramonio posee propiedades alucinógenas y anticolinérgicas debido a su contenido en alcaloides tropánicos, entre los que destacan tres: atropina (DL50= 10 mg en humanos, 400 mg/Kg ratón), hiosciamina y escopolamina (DL50= 2-4 mg en humanos, 619 mg/Kg ratón). Entre los efectos psíquicos y orgánicos destacan la alteración del estado mental con alucinaciones y la taquicardia, respectivamente. El tratamiento de las intoxicaciones agudas es sintomatológico y se dispone de un antídoto, la fisostigmina.

Mercury is a very dangerous toxic metal that bioaccumulates very easily in organisms and it migrates through the food web. The specimens studied in this study were Scomber colias. In the results obtained for the years 1973, 1992 and 2021, the concentration of mercury has been decreasing considerably over the decades, starting with 0.23 mg/Kg in 1973, and having less than half in 2021 with 0.11 mg/Kg. This may be due to the laws imposed by the countries against pollution and to a greater extent in the elimination of mercury, thanks to these measures it has been possible to reduce the concentration of mercury by half in S. colias. Otherwise, the conservation and availability of historical collections of living beings should be considered as an unvalued source of information which could help to monitor legislation measures launched to ameliorate the human impact on the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal concentrations in S.cretense and S.atricauda differ between different coastal areas around the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands and to study whether these species are good bioindicators of pollution. Thirty samples of each species were collected from three parts of the coastline around the island, and samples of muscle and liver tissue were taken from the collected specimens. The determination of the metal content was performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) before conducting a PERMANOVA analysis. The mean metal concentration was significantly higher in the liver tissue than in the muscle tissue of the two species studied. S.atricauda specimens had a larger number of metals with a higher concentration, and the samples from the northern and eastern zones were found to have a higher concentration elements than those from the southern zone. The consumption of both species is not harmful to human health since the intake of toxic metals Al, Cd and Pb does not exceed the tolerable intakes. In addition, the contribution to the intake of essential trace elements is not high, except for the intake of Cr, Zn and Li. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Ochratoxin A is a neurotoxic, immunosuppressive, genotoxic, carcinogenic and teratogenic mycotoxins present in human food, mainly cereals and cereals products, alcoholic beverages and mill products (coffee, cocoa). The levels of Ochratoxin A in food are closely related with the production and conservation conditions. Objetive: This review aims to assess the presence of OTA in different food groups, and to update the knowledge about its toxicity, mechanism of action, methods of analysis used for detection and quantification, and different aspects about regulations. Methods: References and publications related to the mechanism of action, toxicity, analysis and regulations about OTA in foods were searched and selected based on inclusion criteria. MEDLINE/PubMed, Scielo, Science Direct, Ebscohost were used as databases. Results: The presence of OTA keeps on being observed in different food groups. The detected OTA levels are below those permitted by limits set by the regulations However, inadequate agrotechnological production practices and improper storage of foods remain as critical control points to avoid the toxic hazards resulting from human exposure to this toxin. Conclusions: It's recommended to promote the correct use of agrotechnological practices for raw materials and processed products to reduce the concentration of OTA in foods and to avoid the toxicity resulting from the consumption of OTA contaminated foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aging is a global reality that is accompanied by an increase in polypharmacy. In this vital stage, caregivers emerge as relevant actors since their intervention impacts on the safety of the medication use process and on the quality of life of the patient they assist. As the knowledge about the treatments that caregivers supervise for the patient under their care conditions the health outcomes of the medications, the main objective of this study is to characterize the caregivers of patients who use opioid analgesics and to identify factors that increase the risk of the appearance of Medication Related Problems (DRP).The results reveal that the caregiver profile affects the health outcomes of this therapeutic group in both the prevalence and type of DRP. Of the 63 patients using opioid analgesics under pharmacotherapeutic follow-up during this study, 17 (27%) had caregivers. The caregiver in this study was predominantly female (61.1%).Considering DRP and kinship, a higher prevalence of DRP was observed when the caregivers were children or external personnel.Analyzing the pharmacotherapy of these caregivers, 4.8% have started antidepressant treatment, 3.2% hypnotic treatment after becoming caregivers of these patients. The Zarit Test reveals that 29.4% of the caregivers of these patients manifest overload.We conclude that Pharmaceutical Care should consider the opportunity and relevance of designing and implementing intervention and education protocols focused on caregivers., (Copyright SEFAC. Sociedad Española de Farmacia Clínica, Familiar y Comunitaria. This article is available from url https://www.farmaceuticoscomunitarios.org/.)

Background: Tolerance and dependence stand out as the most relevant risks observed during benzodiazepine (BZD) treatments., Objectives: To evaluate the degree of dependence of patients on BZD treatments using the Tyrer test; to define a profile of patients at risk of developing BZD dependence; and to discuss the role of the pharmaceutical care offered by the community pharmacy during dispensing., Methods: Prospective cross-sectional descriptive observational study (August 2020-February 2021) involving 127 patients using BZD. They voluntarily answered a questionnaire during the dispensing pharmaceutical care service. The study was evaluated and codified (code: DAA-CLO-2020-01) by the Spanish Agency for Drugs and Health Products (AEMPS), and statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 25.0., Results: 19.05% of patients using BZD were suspected of suffering from BZD tolerance, and 77.88% of all patients were identified as being at a high risk of BZD dependence. The Tyrer test for dependence indicated a mean score of 5.59 out of 13 points. An 18-fold increased risk of developing dependence was detected in the case of coexistence of high anxiety or depression., Conclusions: The community pharmacy, through protocolized care practices and supported by tools such as the Tyrer test, can play a decisive role in the detection, prevention, and resolution of the risks associated with BZD treatments.

Introduction: Pharmaceutical Intervention aims to optimize and rationalize the use, effectiveness, and safety of dispensed medications resolving drug-related problems (DRPs) and negative medicine outcomes (NMOs)., Objectives: To evaluate Pharmaceutical Interventions in Benzodiazepines users during the COVID-19 pandemic from a Community Pharmacy., Method: Prospective observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study (AEMPS code: DAA-CLO-2020-01) of Pharmaceutical Interventions offered by the community pharmacy between August 2020 and February 2021., Results: A total of 306 Pharmaceutical Interventions were conducted involving 127 patients. Health education and personalized medication information were the most common Pharmaceutical Interventions after detecting a high level of unfamiliarity with the Benzodiazepines among patients. Pharmaceutical Interventions leading to medical referrals accounted for 37.8% of the total, triggered by the detection of DRPs and/or NMOs or after identifying the patient as candidate for deprescription. These referrals included patients with a very high level of depression according to the Euroqol 5D-3L test. Pharmaceutical Interventions resulting in Medication Review with Follow-up Service were performed in 3.1% of patients. The patient acceptance rate of Pharmaceutical Interventions reached 98.4%., Conclusions: The high acceptance rate of Pharmaceutical Interventions reinforces the value of Community Pharmacy in optimizing and rationalizing Benzodiazepines usage, while strengthening the pharmacist-patient relationship. The COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges to pharmacist-physician collaboration despite of the availability of telecommunication protocols among healthcare professionals., (Copyright SEFAC. Sociedad Española de Farmacia Clínica, Familiar y Comunitaria. This article is available from url https://www.farmaceuticoscomunitarios.org/.)

Rio Grande is a city located on a narrow industrialized and urbanized Brazilian peninsula, characterized by wetlands. Due to population growth, numerous urban backfilled regions were built to expand the territorial area of the city. Currently, more than 60% of the central area of the city comes from the grounding of wetlands. The material used for the expansion of the territory had a history of contamination from metals from the tannery and textile industries (mainly Hg) and urban solid waste. In addition to past sources, the city has an active industrial complex with fertilizer, petrochemical, and grain industries. This study evaluated the risks to human health caused by metals (Hg, Fe, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in original soils and backfills, considering the oral, inhalation, and dermal routes of exposure for children and adults using the tool human health risk assessment (HHRA) proposed methodology by USEPA. A total of 63.81% of the original soil samples and 57.14% of the backfill soil samples showed a non-carcinogenic risk (HInc>1) for at least one evaluated metal. Still, approximately 10% of the samples presented carcinogenic risk when the Cr was considered in the hexavalent form. The dermal (Hg, Ni, and Cr) and oral (Fe, Cu, and Zn) exposure routes had the greatest contribution to the total risk. The non-carcinogenic risk for Hg, Cr(VI), and Pb was heterogeneously distributed between the original soils and backfills and associated with the proximity to some pollution sources. Given the complexity of historical occupation in the municipality and the increasing industrialization, both the original areas and the backfills should be included in the risk management strategy to minimize risks., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Protein supplements (PS) are trendy foods, especially those made from whey. In addition to providing protein, these products are a source of metals, providing essential elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) and other potentially toxic elements (Al, B, Sr, V Ba, and Ni). In this study, 47 whey PS samples were analyzed for mineral elements by ICP-OES, and their dietary exposures were assessed for three consumption scenarios. Elements found in higher concentrations were K (4689.10 mg/kg) and Ca (3811.27 mg/kg). The intake of 30 g PS (average recommended amount/day) provides about 20% of the established reference value (NRI) for Cr (18.30% for men and 25.63% for women) and Mo (26.99%). In a high daily consumption scenario (100 g PS/day) and when the maximum concentrations are considered, Cr, Zn, Fe, Mo, and Mg dietary intakes of these metals exceed the daily recommended intakes and could pose a risk. The daily intake of 30, 60, and 100 g of whey PS for 25 years does not pose a health risk since the hazard index (HI) is less than one in these consumption scenarios, and the essential elements contributing most to HI are Co, followed by Mo and Cr. It is recommended to improve the information to the consumers of these new products. Furthermore, to help in the management and prevention of these potential health risks, it would be advisable to improve the regulation of these dietary supplements and their labeling.

The Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, are an archipelago of volcanic origin which, for decades, has been affected by natural fluoride contamination in the water supply of some of its islands, mainly the island of Tenerife. In addition, recent volcanic eruptions in the archipelago and the increased demand for water supply have led to an increase in the fluoride content in other areas which, historically, were not affected. Fluoride content was determined in 274 water supply samples from the most populated islands of the Canary Islands (Tenerife and Gran Canaria) collected during the months of June 2021 to May 2022. The samples were analysed by fluoride ion selective potentiometry. The highest concentrations in Tenerife were found in the municipalities of Sauzal (7.00 mg/L) and Tegueste (5.39 mg/L), both water samples are over the parametric value of 1.5 mg/L set in the supply water legislation. In the Gran Canaria Island, the highest fluoride levels were found in Valsequillo and Mogán with 1.44 mg/L in both locations, but under the parametric fluoride value abovementioned. Consumption of just 1 L of water per day in the El Sauzal area would result in a contribution rate of 77% for adults and children over 15 years of age (Upper Level value of 7 mg/day) and 108% for children 9-14 years of age (UL value of 5 mg/day). The contribution rates increase considerably, reaching or exceeding 100% of the reference value (UL) with increasing consumption of 1 to 2 L of water per day. Therefore, it is considered that there is a health risk of overexposure to fluoride on the island of Tenerife. In the case of the island of Gran Canaria, it has been shown that even the consumption of 2 litres of water per day does not confer contribution rates that pose a health risk.

Energy generated by coal can contaminate the environment by releasing toxic elements, including metals. The human health risk assessment (HHRA) associated with geographic information system (GIS) tools can assist the management of contaminated areas, such as coal mining areas. The objective of the study was to carry out the assessment and spatialization of the risk to human health of potentially hazards elements (PHEs) in the soil for children and adults, from multiple exposure routes (oral, inhalation and dermal) in the Candiota mines, largest coal mining region of Brazil. The non-carcinogenic risks (HQ) of PHEs (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cd, As and Se) and carcinogenic risks of As were estimated and spatialized. The results revealed a risk for children exposure to Mn, with greatest contribution through dermal route. Mn (HQ derm 72.41-96.09% and HQ inh 40.84-82.52%) and Fe (HQ o 43.90-81.44%) were the metals with greatest contribution to human health risk among studied population. As did not present carinogenic risk to adults. The spatial distribution of non-carcinogenic risk showed that Cr, As, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu have higher HInc close to the coal mining areas, while Mn, Se and Cd have the highest HInc values in surrounding municipalities (Pinheiro Machado; Pedras Altas and Hulha Negra). The use of HHRA associated with GIS tools provides important elements for decision-making in the management of contaminated sites, indicating chemical elements, locations, routes of exposure and priority target populations., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Users of benzodiazepines (BZDs) should have their quality of life monitored to minimize the risks associated with long-term treatments. The aim of this study is to use the EuroQol 5D-3L to analyze the quality of life of 127 patients under treatment with BZDs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that lorazepam comprises 25.49% of all dispensing requests, and that the mean duration of BZDs treatments is four years (range: 0.3-25). When rating their general health status, BZDs users reported 59.29 points out of 100. Thirty-two percent of patients reported mobility problems; 16.5% reported having a lot of pain or discomfort despite being treated with BZDs, and 16.54% used a BZD together with an opioid analgesic. The EuroQol 5D-3L dimension "anxiety/depression" showed that, despite the use of BZDs, 48.2% of the patients reported being moderately anxious or depressed and 13.4% described themselves as very anxious or depressed. Nevertheless, 37.8% of BZDs users were identified as potential candidates to follow a BZD deprescription plan. In conclusion, BZDs users showed a low quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older patients and females have been identified as groups of patients that could benefit from integrating the use of the EuroQol 5D-3L instrument into the protocols of the pharmaceutical care follow up.

There are a large number of pests which are detrimental to plant production, specifically to banana cultivation, and the use of pesticides is the main method of control of these pests. Therefore, the number of active substances in pesticides has been steadily increasing since before the Second World War. There is growing consumer concern about the health effects of pesticide residues and there is certainly evidence of a link between pesticide exposure and the prevalence of chronic diseases. Therefore, it is of particular interest to study the presence of pesticide residues in bananas and their toxicological, agricultural and legal implications. In this study, the content of pesticide residues in bananas produced in the Canary Islands during a ten-year period from 2008 to 2017 was determined. A total of 733 samples of bananas were analysed during the study period, in which 191 different active substances were investigated, involving 103,641 assessments. The samples analysed were selected in such a way that they are representative of the banana sector in the Canary Islands as a whole, taking into account geographical and climatic factors, cultivation methods and the processing of bananas in packaging, which are the differentiating factors in the use of pesticides. The reference parameter for the residue investigation is the MRL (maximum residue limit).

Cereals and their derivatives are basic foods in the human diet and a source of minerals, but the content of elements may vary depending on the type of cereal or its processing. The levels of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Co, and Mn have been determined in 126 samples of cereals and cereal derivatives (rice, corn gofio, corn flour, wheat flour, corn, and wheat) commercialized and consumed in Cape Verde using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) after a wet microwave digestion process. Some elements stand out in products such as corn gofio (K), wheat (Mg), and wheat flour (Fe). Negative correlations were found between Mo-Na and Na-Zn that could suggest interference between these elements. Bearing in mind the dietary intake evaluation and the guideline values provided by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) or FAO (Food Authority Organization), the consumption of wheat (100 g/day) provides a notable contribution of Mo, Mn, Fe, and Mg. Considering the nutritional value of the analyzed essential and trace elements, the consumption of different cereals and their derivatives should be promoted., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Instant soups and noodles are one of the most widely consumed commercial food products. These products are made from ingredients of animal (chicken, meat) and/or vegetable origin, in addition to various food additives that prolong the shelf life of the product. It should be noted that instant soups are a dehydrated product, whose water-removal process can increase the accumulation of contaminants, such as toxic metals (Al, Cd, or Pb), that are harmful to the health of consumers. The content of toxic metals (Al, Cd, and Pb) in a total of 130 samples of instant soups of different types (poultry, meat, and vegetables) was determined by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry). The Al content (32.28 ± 19.26), the Cd content (0.027 ± 0.016), and the Pb content (0.12 ± 0.13) in the vegetable soups were worth mentioning. Considering an intake of twenty grams (recommended by the manufacturer), the dietary intake of Al (19.56% of the TWI set at 1 mg/kg bw/week), the intake of Cd (6.59% of the TWI set at 2.5 µg/kg bw/week), and the Pb intake (16.18% of the BMDL set for nephrotoxic effects at 0.63 µg/kg bw/week and 6.84% of the BMDL set for cardiovascular effects at 1.50 µg/kg bw/week) in the population aged 3-10 years, instant soups are not recommended for the population aged 3-10 years, while their consumption does not pose a health risk for adults. However, it is necessary to consider the cooking water used in the preparation of these products, as it may increase exposure to these toxic metals, in addition to the rest of the diet.

Fluoride is present in various foods ingested daily. It has been demonstrated that the intake of high concentrations of fluoride, both in adults and children, can cause pathologies, among which dental fluorosis, osteoporosis and damage to the central nervous system stand out. The objective of this study was to determine the fluoride concentrations in 60 samples of ready-to-drink cold brewed coffee of different brands and types (expresso, cappuccino, macchiato and decaffeinated) by the fluoride ion-selective potentiometric method. A statistical analysis was also performed to discern the existence of differences between these categories. The highest fluoride concentration (1.465 mg/L) was found in espresso coffee followed by Macchiato (1.254 mg/L). Decaffeinated coffee is the one that presented the lowest fluoride concentration with 0.845 mg/L. The risk assessment was conducted considering different consumption scenarios (250, 500 and 750 mL/day). The UL (upper level) established by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) at 7 mg/day was used. The consumption of three servings poses no health risk; however, it confers a significant value of fluoride contribution to the diet.

The consumption of vegetable milk as a substitute for cow's milk has increased in recent years. Of all the vegetable beverages on the market, soy is the most widely consumed. Soy is exposed to contamination by different chemical elements during harvesting. In this study, the concentration of fluoride in soy beverages was analyzed. Fluoride is an element that in high concentrations can be toxic, causing dental and bone fluorosis. The aims of the study were (i) to analyze the fluoride concentration in 30 samples in the most popular brands (A-Brand, B-Brand, C-Brand) of soybean beverages by a fluoride ion selective potentiometer and (ii) to evaluate the toxicological risk derived from its consumption. The fluoride concentrations were 15.5 mg/L (A-Brand), 11.3 mg/L (B-Brand) and 8.5 mg/L (C-Brand). A consumption of 1 to 3 servings/day was established. One serving (200 mL) of soybean beverage offered a contribution percentage over the ADI (acceptable daily intake) for infants and children. Teenagers and adults did not exceed the ADI (10 mg/day). The consumption of soy beverages contributes significantly to the daily intake of fluoride, which could exceed the ADI with a consequent health risk. It is recommended to control the fluoride levels in the raw material and in the final product to assure the safety of these products.

Microplastics (MPs) have been identified as emerging environmental pollutants classified as primary or secondary based on their source. Composition, shape, size, and colour, among other characteristics, are associated with their capacity to access the food chain and their risks. While the environmental impact of MPs has received much attention, the risks for humans derived from their dietary exposure have not been yet assessed. Several institutions and researchers support that the current knowledge does not supply solid data to complete a solid risk characterization of dietary MPs. The aim of this paper is to review the current knowledge about MPs in foods and to discuss the challenges and gaps for a risk analysis. The presence of MPs in food and beverages has been worldwide observed, but most authors considered the current data to be not only insufficient but of questionable quality mainly because of the outstanding lack of consensus about a standardized quantifying method and a unified nomenclature. Drinking water, crustaceans/molluscs, fish, and salt have been identified as relevant dietary sources of MPs for humans by most published studies. The hazard characterization presents several gaps concerning the knowledge of the toxicokinetic, toxicodynamic, and toxicity of MPs in humans that impede the estimation of food safety standards based on risk. This review provides a tentative exposure assessment based on the levels of MPs published for drinking water, crustaceans and molluscs, fish, and salt and using the mean European dietary consumption estimates. The intake of 2 L/day of water, 70.68 g/day of crustaceans/molluscs, 70.68 g/day of fish, and 9.4 g/day of salt would generate a maximum exposure to 33,626, 212.04, 409.94 and 6.40 particles of MPs/day, respectively. The inexistence of reference values to evaluate the MPs dietary intake prevents the dietary MPs risk characterization and therefore the management of this risk. Scientists and Food Safety Authorities face several challenges but also opportunities associated to the occurrence of MPs in foods. More research on the MPs characterization and exposure is needed bearing in mind that any future risk assessment report should involve a total diet perspective.

The Canary Islands is an archipelago that consumes cereals and derivatives imported from other regions of the world. The increase in contamination with toxic metals makes it necessary to assess the content of toxicological metals of interest to ensure quality and safety. The content of toxic metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Sr) was determined in 221 samples of cereals and derivatives (corn, wheat, gofio, corn gofio, barley gofio, roasted corn and flour) marketed in the Canary Islands using ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry) to assess dietary exposure. Al content recorded in barley gofio (29.5 mg/kg fresh weight) stands out. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of Pb is 52 µg/day if 100 g/day of barley gofio is consumed (121% and 240% of the BMDL nephrotoxicity limit set by the EFSA at 0.63 µg/kg body weight/day for adults and children, respectively). The EDI of PB is 16 µg/day if 30 g barley gofio/day is consumed by adults (36.2% of the abovementioned BMDL nephrotoxicity limit). The EDI of Pb is 7.8 µg/day if 15 g barley gofio/day is consumed by children (32.2% of the abovementioned BMDL nephrotoxicity limit). Gofio is a food of high nutritional value. It is necessary to establish monitoring programs for toxic metals in raw materials and processed products to reduce exposure levels.

Consumption of cereals and cereal-based products represents 47% of the total food energy intake in Cape Verde. However, cereals also contribute to dietary exposure to metals that may pose a risk. Strengthening food security and providing nutritional information is a high-priority challenge for the Cape Verde government. In this study, toxic metal content (Cr, Ni, Sr, Al, Cd, and Pb) is determined in 126 samples of cereals and derivatives (rice, corn, wheat, corn flour, wheat flour, corn gofio) consumed in Cape Verde. Wheat flour samples stand out, with the highest Sr (1.60 mg/kg), Ni (0.25 mg/kg) and Cr (0.13 mg/kg) levels. While the consumption of 100 g/day of wheat would contribute to 13.2% of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of Ni, a consumption of 100 g/day of wheat flour would contribute to 8.18% of the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of Cd. Results show relevant Al levels (1.17-13.4 mg/kg), with the highest level observed in corn gofio. The mean Pb average content in cereals is 0.03-0.08 mg/kg, with the highest level observed in corn gofio. Al and Pb levels are lower in cereals without husks. Without being a health risk, the consumption of 100 g/day of wheat contributes to 17.5% of the European benchmark doses lower confidence limit (BMDL) of Pb for nephrotoxic effects; the consumption of 100 g/day of corn gofio provides an intake of 1.34 mg Al/day (13.7% of the TWI) and 8 µg Pb/day (20% of the BMDL for nephrotoxic effects). A strategy to minimize the dietary exposure of the Cape Verdean population to toxic metals from cereals should consider the continuous monitoring of imported cereals on arrival in Cape Verde, the assessment of the population's total diet exposure to toxic metals and educational campaigns.

Objective: Volcanic eruptions are a natural source of substances potentially dangerous to human health. The island of El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain) suffered a marine volcanic eruption in 2012, making it necessary to monitor the levels of certain elements that can alter the quality of groundwater supply. The objective of this work was to determine the content of metals and trace elements in the groundwater supply of the Isla del Hierro and to check if they met the quality parameters established in Spanish legislation., Methods: The content of metals and trace elements (aluminum, lead, cadmium, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, boron, barium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, strontium, vanadium, zinc, fluorine) in a total of 60 samples of groundwater supply and agriculture from six different sampling points on the island. The determination was carried out by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES) and by fluoride ion selective potentiometry. The data were statistically analyzed applying the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene's statistic, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA and Tukey's test. Significant differences were those that met p<0.05., Results: The highest mean concentration of lead was recorded in the Tigaday samples (0.003±0.0005 mg/L), finding statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the lead levels between the sampling points. The elements analyzed were below the parametric values set in Royal Decree 140/2003., Conclusions: The results obtained reflect that, in all the samples analyzed, the quality parameters established in the Spanish legislation (RD 140/2003) are met, being, therefore, waters suitable for human consumption., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Introduction: soft drinks are becoming increasingly consumed by society. They are composed by a great variety of components, some of which can produce adverse effects if they are frequently consumed in high levels., Objectives: determine caffeine and quinine concentration to prove that those concentration levels are lower than the legal limits allowed and calculate the contribution to dietary intake to obtain the Estimated Daily Intake., Methods: levels of caffeine and quinine of the main brands of soft drinks were analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography technique., Results: concentrations were obtained for all brands, and the medium level was estimated., Conclusions: it has been observed that in any case the maximum concentration limits are exceeded and the contribution to dietary intake doesn't mean adverse reaction., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: fluorine, as an hormetin, is necessary in the organism to avoid caries; but large amounts can produce toxic side effects such as dental fluorosis or skeletal fluorosis. Thus, it is important not to exceed chronically the RDIs (Recommended Daily Intakes) per each age and sex range. It is assumed that the main fluoride source is water., Objectives: to establish fluoride concentrations at certain bottled water brands being consumed in the Canary Islands for renovating the outdated data, and to evaluate the subsequent toxic risk., Method: 25 samples have been used from 7 different registered and commercialized brands, being analyzed by a potentiometer with a fluoride ion selective electrode., Results: all analyzed water brands satisfied quality criteria according to the Spanish law, no one could be considered "fluorinated water" and all of them could be used to prepare baby food. Moreover, according to the recommended daily water intake by the EFSA per each age range, no water analyzed brand could exceed the RDI for no one over 4 years old., Conclusions: the bottled waters that are produced in the Canary Islands have similar fluoride concentrations than those that are produced in the Peninsula (all of them have a data range between 0.24 and 0.62 mg/L). The individuals who have more water restrictions are those under 1 year old; but in any case, while the child is growing up, the levels of fluoride consumption can be higher (until 19 years old) and therefore the water brands variety that can be drunk, without exceeding the RDI, is also higher. In some places in the Canary Islands, it would be advisable to consume bottled water in place of tap water., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the present study was to determine the concentrations of eight metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr) in 33 cigarette brands for sale in Spain. Samples were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Mean values obtained were 428 µg Al/g, 0.810 µg Cd/g, 0.558 µg Co/g, 1.442 µg Cr/g, 112.026 µg Mn/g, 2.238 µg Ni/g, 0.602 µg Pb/g and 82.206 µg Sr/g. Statistically significant differences were observed with respect to concentrations of Co (0.004), Cr (0.045), Mn (0.005) and Sr (0.005) between black and blond tobacco and between levels of Mn (0.027) among manufacturers. Considering a Cd inhalation rate of 10% and a Cd absorption rate of 50%, absorption of Cd for smokers of 30 cigarettes/day was estimated at 0.75 µg Cd/day. An inhalation rate of 2-6% and an absorption rate of 86% were considered for Pb, Pb absorption in smokers of 30 cigarettes/day was therefore 0.18-0.54 μg/day. In view of the significant toxic effects of these metals, quantification and control of their concentrations in this drug are of the utmost importance., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: drinking water is the main source of fluoride exposure for the population. According to the Spanish Law RD 140/2003, the fluoride content in drinking water should not exceed the parametric value of 1.5 mg/L. Historically, certain drinking waters in the island of Tenerife have exceeded this value due to the geological/volcanic characteristics of the Canary Islands. Fluoride (F) plays an important role in the prevention of dental caries (tooth decay). However, long exposure to concentrations above 1.5 mg/L in drinking water can cause disorders such as dental fluorosis., Objectives: To determine the amount of fluoride in the tap waters of the 11 municipalities in the north of the island of Tenerife that, at the time of the study, exceeded the parametric value for fluoride set by the Spanish legislation and to toxicologically estimate and evaluate the fluoride daily intakes from water considering the RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) established in Spain for different population groups., Method: 44 samples of tap water collected in the 11 municipalities in the study were analyzed using the fluoride potentiometric determination with an ion selective electrode., Results: 9 of the 11 municipalities presented mean fluoride concentrations in their tap water that exceeded the parametric value set by the Spanish legislation (1.5 mg/L). Considering an average daily water consumption of 2 L, the recommended daily intake (RDI) for women (3mg F/day) is exceeded in 9 of the 11 municipalities and the RDI for men (4 mg F/day) is exceeded in 5 of the 11 municipalities. Considering a daily water consumption of 1.5 L, the RDI for children of 2-3 years (0.7 mg/day) is clearly exceeded in all municipalities., Conclusions: The results show the existing public health problem on the island of Tenerife and justify the tap water consumption restrictions put in force by the Public Health Authorities of the Canary Islands at the time of the study. Children are the most exposed population group to the risks of fluoride because its RDI is lower., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Although meat and vegetable products contain higher concentrations of nitrate, drinking water is the fastest and most direct form of nitrate consumption by the population. It becomes contaminated with nitrates when sea water infiltrates fresh water aquifers and when rain and irrigation water wash through soils that have been excessively treated with nitrated fertilizers. Nitrates are of great toxicological interest as they are involved in the origin of nitrites and nitrosamines and the development of metahaemoglobinaemia in infants. The objective of this study was to determine the quantities of NO(3)(-) in the water supply of each of the Island's municipalities and in the leading brands of bottled waters consumed by the population of Tenerife. This parameter is necessary for the determination of Acceptable Daily Intake (A.D.I.) of nitrates from drinking water. With one unremarkable exception, the nitrate levels found in the water analyzed were optimum for human consumption and amply complied with current European Legislation., (Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.)